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the passion8words
The passion8words is presented by Jeff Thomson.
on air - fun 8 word theatre reviews.
online - full reviews written by Jeff.
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MACBETH
ARCHIVE REVIEW
The 75th Season at Regent’s Park opens with the darkly, tragic, Macbeth. The acting area becomes an ‘arms dump’ and the production opens with a fighter jet roaring overhead; soon we find a wounded pilot. A jeep arrives: and so I conclude we are in a modern era! But Edward Kemp’s direction does not continue the theme and as the feuding factions emerge the costuming suggests a time distortion to earlier decades.
Antony Byrne, as Macbeth, Thane of Glamis, is at first contained and subdued, lacking it seemed to me the early spite and ambition that would propel him to multiple evils. But he comes into his own as opportunity surfaces. In this he is assisted by a power crazed Sarah Woodward (Lady Macbeth) who develops from desperate housewife to psychotic killer with seamless skill.
Chris Emmett as the Porter, steals a march on the production, as the local yokel swept into the action, befuddled by either drink or degeneration; his is a stella moment as are the witches who prowl, growl and prod their unsavoury ways.
Macbeth in the Park is competent but not outstanding and coming in direct competition with a Chichester production perhaps it might have been better to leave it for another year.
MARY POPPINS
THE PRINCE EDWARD in OLD COMPTON STREET
This is enchanting show and with elements of magic that intrigue even the most cynical – how does Mary Poppin’s friend Bert, walk upside down!? The story evolves around the Banks children … who are fortunately charming and fun … and the strict Mr George Banks of 17, Cherry Tree Lane. It is time to employ a Nanny to assist Mr and Mrs Banks in controlling their children – not that any of them would attract an ASBO! The children draw up their ideal list of qualities (because they can write!) but it is thrown into the fire by Banks Snr. Cue Mary Poppins who just happens to be flying over …
This is a wonderful production that does not attempt to replicate the film but actually does in many respects through its very slickness and illusion. The favourite songs are there and on the evening I joined it was a joyful sing-along-a-show proving quality does last and magic is for ever.
METAMORPHOSIS
THE LYRIC, HAMMERSMITH
“Metamorphosis” by Franz Kafka is a triumph. It is also ‘theatre of the absurd’ but as I get older the less absurd this genre appears to me.
Kafka offers an allegorical theme about the crushing of the human spirit with a brutal disregard for the sanctity of life. So how does he achieve this? He achieves it by the transposition of a young workingman into the body of a beetle – an insignificant form of life that can be crushed underfoot without compunction.
Such a concept poses astonishing challenges for a Director and cast but David Farr and Gisli Orn Gardarsson (joint Directors) together with a core of actors from the Icelandic Company ‘Vesturport’ achieve it magnificently.
Visually the set is tiered – with an upper set ‘tricked’ so that we appear to look down from a ceiling. This allows Gregor, the man-beetle, to offer an illusion of scurrying, climbing and hiding. That the actor, Bjorn Thors, is a competent acrobat obviously helps, but the movement plot is so integrated into the mood of the production, that this becomes both natural and incidental.
The lower tier is of a conventionally, modest, living room in which Gregor’s family survive at a subsistence level.
The script is adapted from Kafka’s short story – with some adjustments – but the allegory and this interpretation finds a strong resonance with Nazi fascism. Gregor’s sister, Grete, (Unnur Osp Stefansdottir) has a key moment when explaining how she has grown to despise him: she tried to care for him and when this failed, encouraged his separate space and development. Ultimately when she, and her family deem all ‘communication’ lost there’s obviously no alternative but to starve ‘it’ to death. The beetle is exterminated.
Cleverly offered at differing levels of natural and stylistic playing, ‘Metamorphosis’ is, perhaps, Kafka’s most popular work and this new adaptation can only add to the prestige it already enjoys; it is a coup de theatre. Not bad for something written in 1912.
MIDSUMMER NIGHTS’ DREAM
ARCHIVE REVIEW
The sylvan glade that is the core of the Regents’ Park Theatre lends itself spectacularly to A Midsummer Nights’ Dream. Last year I thought I witnessed the most successful production for a decade or more – I loved it and so my expectation this year was high. I was not disappointed but this is a cerebral interpretation. It is frequently clever but I believe one needs to know the subtleties of verse and plot to fully appreciate much of the fun.
There is however a lot to enjoy. The blending of musicians and actors, the graphic characterisations, the homo-erotic nature of the ‘fairy folk’, the Grecian influences. This production by director Christopher Luscombe moves along at satisfying pace, the magical confusions are neatly handled and Ian Talbot’s Bottom – once again – a triumph.
The lovers are suitably cast with Helena (Hattie Ladbury) elegantly fending off a personable Demetrius (Norman Bowman), Lysander and Hermia too (Sam Alexander and Olivia Darnley).
In all it is a likeable romp!
THE MOUSETRAP
ST MARTIN’S THEATRE in WEST STREET
In 1951 Queen Mary was asked what she would like as a birthday present? She replied ‘that a radio play by Mrs Christie would be very pleasant.’ Well, you would wouldn’t you! This subsequently became The Mousetrap and Queen Mary’s present from Agatha Christie the longest ever play in continuous performance. It is a thriller, with a motley group of guests snowbound in an isolated hotel. To be truthful it creaks along but has to be seen for its unique contribution to theatrical life. Fortunately it is played as a period piece and so the outmoded dialogue and plotting do not seem so anachronistic – perhaps almost natural. The dénouement isn’t such a surprise but has shocked thousands of Japanese tourists who seem to go again and again. Long may it reign. It offers regular employment!
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Jeff Thomson:
broadcaster and
champion of the arts
Jeff admits to an obsession with books and theatre. A LAMDA Gold Medalist Jeff supported
Sam Wanamaker for five years in the campaign to re-create Shakespeare's Globe on Bankside.
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